The Persistence of the Glass Ceiling

This paper presents a comprehensive review and analysis of the obstacles white women encounter as they climb the corporate ladder to senior executive positions. It explores the phenomenon known as the glass ceiling. Gender issues, societal stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination will be researched to determine the impact to women seeking senior executive positions. For the purpose of this paper, senior executive positions are defined as company presidents and chief executive officers (CEO), as well as positions reporting to them. This paper will define the glass ceiling, review obstacles, determine if the obstacles still exist, and suggest ways to obtain senior executive positions in spite of those obstacles. The paper will illustrate why women are important in senior executive positions and will recommend steps for women who struggle with the glass ceiling as they aspire to senior executive roles

Interlocal Cooperation in the Bluegrass Area Development District: What Factors Lead to Success?

Regionalism, or interlocal cooperation, is an important consideration for elected officials in the Bluegrass Area Development District. The reasons to join in a partnership and the suspected outcome are of great concern to the judge-executives and mayors but also to the communities they serve. In order to assist elected officials in their decision-making capacities, this study was designed to primarily analyze what factors lead to success in regional projects within the Bluegrass ADD. A secondary consideration was to look at when and why local governments enter into regional efforts. A statistical analysis was performed on a sample of regional projects within the Bluegrass ADD using data from the ADD and surveys given to judge-executives and mayors. Descriptive statistics showed that rural or remote jurisdictions were highly likely to participate in regional projects. Regional cooperation is likely to occur when three or fewer communities are involved at the same time. Also, projects are highly likely to have an intermediary party involved such as the Bluegrass ADD for consulting, grant writing, or other support services. Some factors were found to be statistically significant in relation to the success of regional projects. The number of jurisdictions involved in the project was highly significant to the level of success demonstrating a negative relationship. The variable showing grants received was also significant with a negative relationship. Whether or not a project resulted from a state or federal mandate also showed statistical significance displaying a positive relationship. Though these factors showed statistical significance, further research is needed to determine the fine detail involved in such partnerships to gain a full understanding of what leads to success and why. Recommendations are made on the basis of these results and implications are discussed. It is recommended, based on results of this analysis, that jurisdictions choosing to cooperate regionally do so when a small number of jurisdictions are involved in order to realize higher levels of success. Pending further research, it may not be in the best interests of local governments to work together when the project deals with a state or federal mandate. Based on the findings, local governments are encouraged to apply for grant funds since receipt of grant funds shows a greater likelihood of attaining a higher level of success. Implications such as government mergers are noted as county and city boundaries are blurred and more regionalism takes place. Although this research does not imply causality, it does provide interesting and thought provoking notions about why governments cooperate and when they may be successful in working together regionally

Development of an optimized short-span steel bridge package

A recent study from the West Virginia Department of Transportation indicates that a number of existing bridges in West Virginia are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. As there are not sufficient funds to replace or rehabilitate all of the insufficient structures a means of economically replacing the inadequate structures in a time efficient manner is necessary. One method of conserving time and resources is by employing standardized bridge plans. Therefore, the focus of this effort is on the development of a optimized short-span steel bridge package.;This study focused on developing optimized plans for two roadway cross-sections for spans between 40 feet and 120 feet in 5 ft. intervals. The girders designed in this effort were optimized based on weight and included members detailed at various cross section depth to span length ratios and incorporated both homogeneous and hybrid configurations as well as rolled sections.;Additional optimization studies were performed to assess the feasibility of incorporating limited ranges of plate sizes which is a practice felt by steel bridge fabricators to offer significant economy. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Constitutional Law - Preemption of State Common Law Actions against Cigarette Manufacturers by the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act: Have Smokers Taken Their Last Puff to Hold Tobacco Companies Liable under a State Tort Claim? - \u3cem\u3ePalmer v. Liggett Group, Inc.\u3c/em\u3e

This Note will examine the Act and the scope of its preemption provision. In addition, this Note will illustrate how the Palmer court analyzed prior cases to elevate the immunity of cigarette manufacturers and will also review the status of the law prior to and after Palmer. The main thrust of this Note is how the Palmer decision, by driving another nail in the preemption coffin for state common law claims against cigarette manufacturers, effectively slammed the lid on these cigarette manufacturer liability suits and requires dismissal of future suits based on inadequate warning labels